Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-01-18
OUR SEALS AND COINS.
A PROTEST AGAINST NATIONAL OUT.
RACES UPON HeRALoIc ART.
The Objections of Venerable Designer.
His Reasons why-The Bald Headed
Eagle I'm His Absurd Poses-An Appro-
priate Device.

priate Device.
~. GOldssorough Bruff," as he sign
himself, has invited the attention OF con
gress TO the unprecedented irregularities
and 'absurdities'' of the heraldic device
adopted for seals and coins by this go iern
ment.
Mr.. Bruff explains that owing to a lack
| of knowledge this government made a falls
start. The art Of heraldry was unknown
in this country infancy, he says, and stand
ard works were unattainable. "In conse-
quence thereof the new republic was unable
TO obtain a proper device for its national
signet until July 90, 1852, and the device
then adopted of admirable symbolism, is a
haseless fabric, not being blazoned upon an
escutcheon or shield, and hence we have
never had a national escutcheon of heraldic
| arms, unprecedented in the annals of her
aldry. Being thus deprived Of that basis,
the requisite Of all heraldic achievements,
| the government utilized a subcharge Of the
arms proper, and as popularity dsnominatcd
the national shield or escutcheon, which it
is not nor ever can be"
Having no genuine escutcheon, no basis
or standard to start with, this government
has gradually collected an accumulation of
designs which Mr.. Bruff characterizes az
ranging from Indifferent and peculiar to
absurd" He goes on to say:
''Au nations of the civilized world save
our own have enstamped upon their gold
and silver coinage the true heraldic arms Of
their individual sovereignty, and with strict
numismatic propriety exclude irrelevant,
fanciful ideas. The American bald eagle
is displayed in every conceivable attitude
and position, ard degenerated 70 numerous
species of the United States mint genius
FREE AND EASY ART.
The peculiar style of distributing the
elements Of the national arms over the faces
Of the coin, including mottoes and legends
unregardful of significant propriety is q re-
markable art exhibition of the genius Of our
free institutions. Compare the dignified
propriety represented in the devices upon
some IF the earlier coinage: Observe, q
classic bust with legend Liberty and re-
verse, the national arms as adopted, which
compare with the handsome female head
filletes Liberty though crowned with
grain, etc, as if also to represent the god
dess Ceres or Abundance, doubtless q multi
fold genius as the motto overhead would in
timete, e pluribus unum.' Upon close ex-
animation a small cap is seem amid the
redundant ringlets, apparently falling OFF.
Reverse, a crucified eagle (severelyl dis
played, minus the escutcheon on his breast
or the eagle volant without its appropriate
motto, Excelsior. As though disguised
with his vicissitude and general bad treat
ment by the ruling powers he has discarded
his shield Of the Union, olive branch and
three arrows typical we suppose of thirteen)
and ascends to the starry regions Of purity
and truth (The square, heavy perspective
is good, but why extend his legs, as storts
and herons dor
THE MAD EAGLE
In another issue an enraged eagle has
discoveries the discarded American shield
prostratA in the weeds, and having picked
up the arrows and branch pounces upon the
debased escutcheon, defiantly warning of
the despoilers Notices become legends,
and legends notices. The Goddess Of Lib
erty, duly labeled, rests herself upon a rock,
with staff and cap and escutcheon, but
looks back apprehensive Of some mishap.